As an interdisciplinary environmental health social scientist, the foundation of my work lies within the research specializations of sustainability science, environmental health, and environmental sociology. I draw on theories and tools from these subdisciplines, but also from anthropology, environmental justice, environmental and medical history, environmental psychology, environmental studies, and public health sciences. My research focuses on two areas regarding the interplay between human health and the environment: 1) the socio-ecological consequences of medical care (or, how human health-seeking behaviors impact the environment), and 2) the human health benefits of nature contact (or, how the environment impacts human health).
Lecturer and Research Affiliate
Publications
Books
Vatovec, Christine. 2023. Dying Green: A Journey Through End-of-Life Medicine in Search of Sustainable Health Care. Rutgers University Press.
Selected Publications
Vatovec, Christine, Corey Evans, Emily Van Wagoner. 2017. Investigating sources of pharmaceutical pollution: Survey of over-the-counter and prescription medication purchasing, use, and disposal practices among university students. Journal of Environmental Management (198): 348-352.
Vatovec, Christine, Patrick Phillips, Emily Van Wagoner, Tia-Marie Scott, and Edward Furlong. 2016. Investigating dynamic sources of pharmaceuticals: Demographic and seasonal use are more important than down-the-drain disposal in wastewater effluent in a University City setting. Science of The Total Environment (572) 906-914.
Vatovec, Christine. 2016. Making Biodiversity Stewardship Tangible using a Place-based Approach. In: Byrne L (ed) Learner-centered Teaching Activities for Environmental and Sustainability Studies. Springer.
Berkman, Amy, Amy Trentham-Dietz, Kim Dittus, Vicki Hart, Christine Vatovec, Ted A. James, Susan G. Lakoski, Brian L. Sprague. 2015. Health Behavior Change Following a DCIS Diagnosis: An Opportune Teachable Moment to Improve Outcomes. Preventive Medicine 80:53-59.
Vatovec, Christine, Mujde Erten, Jane Kolodinsky, Phil Brown, Marie Wood, Ted James, Brian L. Sprague. 2014. Ductal carcinoma in situ: a brief review of treatment variation and impacts on patients and society. Critical Reviews in Eukaryotic Gene Expression 24(4): 281–286.
Areas of Expertise and/or Research
Instructional programs: Sustainability, Ecology and Policy
Research: Human health and the environment, socio-ecological consequences of medical care, health benefits of nature contact, ethnographic methods
Education
- Ph.D. 2010 University of Wisconsin
- M.S. 2002 University of Minnesota
- B.S. 1998 Cornell University
Contact
Email:
Phone:
- 802 656-2728
Office Location:
303C Aiken Center
Website(s):